 The Bermuda Karting Association (BKA) launched its 50th-anniversary season in spectacular fashion today, with 39 karts descending on the Southside Raceway for a milestone Race Day #8 of the Rubis Energy Karting Championship.
The golden jubilee year kicked off with a high-intensity program that saw seasoned champions and rising stars go wheel-to-wheel under both the midday sun and a late-afternoon drizzle. With a bumper turnout and five decades of history behind them, the atmosphere at the St. David’s track reflected a sport very much in its prime.
The L206 Senior class lived up to its reputation as the most competitive division on the island, featuring a stacked field of 14 karts. Scott Barnes was the man to beat in the opening and closing exchanges, securing clinical victories in Heats 1 and 3.
However, long-time rival Jason North ensured Barnes didn’t have it all his own way, snatching a win in Heat 2 and shadowing Barnes for second-place finishes in the other two races. The CRG teammates maintained a podium stranglehold, with David Barbosa claiming third in the first two heats before Marc Tucker moved up to take third in the final sprint.
In the high-speed TAG Senior division, the rivalry shifted. Ryan Burgess drew first blood with a Heat 1 victory, but Barnes’ versatility was on full display as he dominated Heats 2 and 3 to claim the overall honors for the day. Blake Horseman remained a constant threat, securing two runner-up spots, while Jorja Thomas showed remarkable consistency to park her kart in third place across all three heats.
Burgess would later find redemption in the Shifter Class. He dominated the opening two heats, leading a consistent top four that included Ryan Rebello, "Skitchy" Barnes, and Horseman. However, as the heavens opened for the final heat, the technical challenge shifted. Blake Horseman proved to be the "rain master," navigating the slippery surface to take the win in Heat 3 ahead of Jason Correia and Stephen Corrado.
While the senior classes were defined by narrow margins, the TAG Junior class belonged entirely to Tanner Correia. In a flawless display of race craft, Correia completed a clean sweep of all three heats. Alondro Albouy and Jonathan Lindberg traded second-place finishes, while Syah Pedro remained firmly in the podium hunt throughout the afternoon.
The KZ Master Class provided a similar story of technical grit. Rian Lindo claimed the initial win of the day, but Jason DeCouto struck back in Heat 2. As the rain added an extra layer of difficulty to the final session, William Dunkley showcased his experience in the wet, powering to a first-place finish to close out a historic day for the association.
Click Here to see the Full 2026 Race Day #8 of the Bermuda Rubis Energy Karting Championship Results
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